20 month old speech not where it should be- advice needed.

[Jbirds]

Hello,

I have a beautiful son who is 20months old and in my eyes- perfect in every way, but I wanted to speech advice please.

At 14months he was saying quite a few words:
-Grandad
-Mama
-Dada
-Nana
-Duck
-Bird
-Car
-Banana
-No
-Gone
-Hat

Now he is 20 months and we have regressed to
-Mama
-Yes
-Duck
-Gone
-Dada occasionally
-Cow
-Dip

Sounds for animals are limited to RAAAHHH when he sees a lion, dinosaur, bear or tiger and he exhaled air rapidly through his lips when he sees hot food. He also pushes air between his lips for dog- for the oof sound in woof.

I’m aware that this isn’t completely normal as his speech seems to be getting worse rather than improving. We have made a referral to SALT but not sure how much they will do as he is under two and the waiting lists after COVID are rather long (up to 2 years in some places).

Does anyone have any advice or has anyone been through something similar?

TIA for any help than can be given.

I would really recommend a hearing test, as you mentioned my DC sometimes didn’t respond to his name or missed things. Had words but not all that many, was completely floored when we discovered they were effectively deaf on one side. Glad you’ve got the salt referral, be completely honest and don’t be afraid to push and chase apps.

Only have similar things to say like what other PPs have said:

1. Get ears checked out just to rule that out. Has DC had any colds etc recently? That could cause an ear infection or multiple ear infections could have caused glue ear.
2. Sally Ward's 'Baby Talk' book is fantastic. You don't have to read the whole thing cover to cover, there's a chapter per 4 months of age. Start from the chapter before (16-20 months of age), read that first and then the chapter of the age of your DC. That's what I did with my DC and it worked brilliantly.
3. SALT has a long waiting list. Can you afford to seek private help if you feel you need it?
4. Please don't worry too much at this stage. The development of speech between 12 and 24 months is such a wide-ranging period of change. Plus the 'language explosion' happens at different time for different children and a later 'explosion' doesn't necessarily suggest a delay. Sally Ward's book is excellent for explaining this, much better than I can.

Finally - some experience from me. I honestly thought around the 18 month stage that my boy had a potential language delay. I did all the above steps. 6 months later and I can safely say the language explosion happened just shy of his 2nd birthday and he's on target for where they should be at their 24 month check-up with the HV. I'm sure Sally Ward's book helped with this. I don't think it's a coincidence.

Best wishes to you and yours OP

I would say don’t panic - my little boy hardly said anything till almost three and he’s brilliant now at 5.

Makaton is amazing for helping children pick up speech, definitely try to learn and use a few signs always with the spoken word as well so he picks it up.

My DS got referred to a ‘little talkers’ group run by our HV and it really helped him gain a bit more confidence so might be worth asking them is there is anything similar in your area.

As others have said model what you want him to say. So only say one or two words to him e.g car gone and repeat them often. If you are reading books together in the day don’t read all the words just pick out key phrases or a couple of words to describe the picture. Just keep it really simple.

Honestly try not to worry yet (easier said than done!) Hopefully he is storing it all away for future use!!

Another 'don't panic' here.

Is he very physical? DS babbled then went silent and walked at 10 months.

I did get him checked out via GP and he did attend 6 sessions of speech therapy in Reception (to fix eg Tamera & Yausages).

I wasn't overly worried as he used words, sounds and actions strung together so when he did finally talk well it was in full sentences. I vividly remember a conversation with DH where I said I'm not worrying until after he is 3.

He's 16 now and very bright (not a stealth brag).

Thanks so much for all the message. Yes we have enquired about the private SALT route too and are waiting to hear back from them currently. These are all such reassuring messages. Thank you for the book recommendation too. It has been purchased.

👋

thought I’d give a quick update on this thread.

so at around 2years and 3months my son started to say words and slowly started to gain more and more vocabulary and speak in ever complex sentences. Now he is 3.5years old and there isn’t anything he cannot say. His school has also said that they’re amazed that he ever struggled with picking up words as his vocabulary is so extensive.

hope this update may help other that are in a similar position. I know how stressful and worrying it can be. I suppose it’s a case of keep with it, keep reading and talking to your kids and they’ll all get there in their own time.

all the best to the mamas and papas out there!

x

Lovely update! Wishing you both all the best :)

A lovely update!! Your little boy sounds like once he got the urge to talk there was no stopping him! Brilliant.

Fantastic!